More and more Minnesotans are spending unnecessary amounts of time in the hospital. That's according to the results of a survey done by the Minnesota Hospital Association.
"16% of all hospital stays last year, in 2023, were for patients who did not need to be in the hospital but could not be discharged," says Hospital Association CEO and President Dr. Rahul Koranne.
He says patients end up having to wait for transfers to nursing homes, rehabilitation units, or other facilities. And that is costing hospitals nearly a half a billion dollars in the state.
"We need the lawmakers to prioritize rescue money and rescue funding for our hospitals right away when they convene," Koranne says.
The Minnesota legislative session begins on February 12.
“Minnesota hospitals have gone from being a safety net, to being a catch-all for patient care,” said Koranne. “This is a function they were never intended for, can’t afford, and isn’t good for patients. This gridlock is preventing Minnesotans from getting care that their lives depend on. Policy makers must act.”
The survey of 101 hospitals by the Minnesota Hospital Association follows similar data collection by the Minnesota Department of Human Services in the first five months of 2023, which found more than 76,245 days of unnecessary hospital care.
In the first half of 2023, an alarming 67% of Minnesota hospitals reported operating losses.
“Our hospitals are facing immense financial pressure," says Koranne. "We need real and immediate financial assistance from the legislature in the coming weeks to prevent further service or facility closures and to ensure access to quality health care for all Minnesotans."